Opportunities:
Urgent Action Alert - Public comment on abortion clinic regulations:
We have a rare opportunity to positively impact Maryland's abortion laws. Please take a moment to respond to the public comment period from January 13th to February 12th. Recommended points from Maryland Right to Life are given below. Send the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) your personalized email today and tell them that this regulation is a neccessary first step. Key points (from the Maryland Right to Life) are:

1. After 20 years of waiting, the DHMH drafting of and support for fundamental regulations for abortion facilities is long overdue.

2. Using ambulatory surgical facility regulations as the basis for draft regulations should be a minimal requirement, as abortion is an invasive surgical procedure with risks similar to other invasive surgical procedures.

3. The regulations overall, particularly the section on use of anesthetics, represent a necessary step. We appreciate seeing DHMH acknowledge that women have died or were seriously injured in abortion facilities over the past 19 years.

4. DHMH should remain open to any need to amend regulations in light of future negligence on the part of abortionists and work to put these regulations in to effect as soon as legally permissible.

5. Women need to be told the truth about the dangers of abortion if they are going to give real informed consent before the procedure. Abortion is a dangerous invasive procedure which can result in death, permanent infertility, cancer, post abortion syndrome, and many other serious tragic physical and psychological problems. It is irresponsible to not provide a woman with information about the terrible threats to her health to which she is exposing herself when she agrees to undergo an abortion. Most important, women need to be told the truth about what and who they are destroying in an abortion. Real informed consent involves being given the facts about unborn children and what an abortion does to them.

Shady Grove Pregnancy Center: Become a volunteer at Shady Grove Pregnancy center! There are several ways to help out. During the year, Shady Grove hosts a series of pregnancy classes and welcomes volunteers to provide light nutritious meals. This is a great way to assist Shady Grove and young mothers to be. Perhaps you can sponsor or help organize a 'Mothers Shower' or help with the material needs of the mothers and their babies. And experienced moms are welcome to become a 'Mentor Mom' to be a positive role model and provide emotional support as well as practical tips. Check out their website: www.pregnancy-options.org
If interested in providing any of the above or would like more information, please contact the Parenting Program Director at 301-963-6223.

Maryland Catholic Conference: The Respect for Life Department of the Maryland Catholic Conference considers issues affecting the inherent value and dignity of human life at all stages. It considers issues affecting pre-born human life, individuals approaching the end of their lives or incapable of making medical decisions for themselves, and individuals accused or convicted of capital crimes. The Department works in conjunction with the Social Concerns Department on issues affecting pregnant women in need.

As faithful citizens, all Catholics are called to advocate for public policies that uphold the right to life and the dignity of the human person, preserve the family unit, and support the poor and vulnerable. In its efforts to achieve these goals, the Conference’s focus is two-fold: to represent the public policy positions of the Church before the Maryland General Assembly, the U.S. Congress, and other sectors of the public square, and to engage Maryland Catholics in advancing those positions.

The success of legislative advocacy efforts on behalf of the voiceless and vulnerable depends in large part on the support of concerned voters like you. Help bring Gospel values into the public square by joining the Catholic Advocacy Network, which
will put you in direct, easy e-mail contact with your state and federal lawmakers.

Please see their website for more information on this and other activities: www.mdcathcon.org

'Compassion Revealed' at Maryland's Pregnancy Resource Centers:
More than 30,000 pregnant women in need are served every year through the compassionate assistance of Maryland's 40 pregnancy resource centers (also called crisis pregnancy centers). These centers offer pregnant women emotional and material assistance and work with them to access medical care and public benefits for which they may be eligible.

Learn more about these wonderful centers by watching the video on their website.

The Maryland Catholic Conference engages in education and advocacy efforts to advance the mutual public policy interests of the three Catholic dioceses serving Maryland. Its Board of Governors includes of the bishops of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the Archdiocese of Washington and the Diocese of Wilmington.The Conference’s headquarters are in historic Annapolis, a block from the Maryland State House.

Susan B. Anthony List: The Susan B. Anthony List was founded by a diverse group of women in 1992 to advance the role of pro-life women in the political process. Today the Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of over 145,000 Americans dedicated to advancing, mobilizing and representing pro-life women in the political process. Its connected Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.

Please see their website for more information on this and other activities: www.sba-list.org

Contact Us:
Send an email to prolife@stmartinsprolife.com or come by during one of the Pro-Life Committee meetings.